Raisin and fig press



(No Model.)

J PORTEOUS RAISIN AND FIG PRESS.

Patented June 2,1891.

was

Hm nu a in ii i I ms PEYER 00., FNOYO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON n c UNITEDYSTATES PATENT OF ICE.

through the top bars andthrough the slot of JAMES PORTEOUS, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.

RAISIN AND SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Application filed January 20, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES PORTEOU s, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fresno, Fresno county, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Raisin and Fig Presses; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

,My invention relates to that class of fruitpresses the object of which is to pack the fruit in the containing boxes.

My invention consists in the novel adjustable plungers hereinafter fully described,'and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide means for readily adapting the press to different depths of boxes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my press. I Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan, looking down on top bars D, showing the position of the plunger.

A is a frame having a top a. In this top is a series of vertically-movable platforms B, which when down lie flush with said top. These platforms are raised and lowered by means of stems b, with the lower ends of which the levers C are connected by links 0, said levers being held in the position to which they are set by the racks 0.

Supported by standards (2, rising from the frame A, are parallel-spaced top bars D. Between these are fitted the depending plungers E. The means for supporting and vertically adjusting these plungers constitute the novelty in my invention. The plunger has a deep slot made in it from its top downwardly. It fits between the spaced top bars in shallow grooves therein. A bolt F passes the plunger, and by tightening up this bolt the plunger is supported by binding the top bars against its sides. This support is sufficient to suspend the plunger and carry its weight; but to resist the upward thrust of the press I have the wedge-key G, which passes through the slot of the plunger directly under the top bars. To hold the key in the position FIG PRESS.

Patent No. 453,293, dated June 2, 1891.

Serial No. 378,477- (No model.)

to which it may be adjusted, I make in it a series of holes, through any one of which I pass a holding-pin H.

WVhen such fruit as raisins and figs are put into boxes'they require to be pressed therein.

It is usual to place the box upon the vertical1y-movable platform and lay a plate or follower upon the top of the fruit. Then the operator presses down hard upon tlie lever O and holds it down by the rack. This raises the platform and forces the box up, so that the top plate or follower is forced against the plunger above, which effects the proper compression of the fruit.

In the ordinary machine the plunger above is not adjustable. Therefore, to adapt it to 6 different depths of boxes loose blocks are usually placed on the plate or follower directly under the plunger. According to the difierent boxes different thicknesses of blocks are used. It will be seen that I do away with this practice, which is inconventient, wastes time, and is somewhat uncertain, by making my plungers adjustable. By properly adj usting them theyare adapted fordifferent depths of boxes. The manner of this adjustment is obvious. To raise the plunger the bolt is loosened, the holding-pin is removed, and the key is withdrawn partially to present its narrower portion. Then the plunger may be pushed up and sezured by retightening the bolt and setting the holding-pin in a new hole in the key. To lower the plunger the bolt is loosened, the holding-pin removed, and the key is driven farther in.

The object in having a series of platforms 8 5 and plungers in a single machine is to enable the operator to put the pressure on each box successively and then go back to relieve the first, by which time its contents will be sufficiently pressed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a press, the combinationof spaced bars at the top of the press-frame, plungers fitted between said bars with their upper ends slotted, bolts passing through the spaced bars and also through the slots in the plungers,

bolts, and means for holding the plungers and through the slotted plungers to resist the to against; upward movement, substantially as upward movement of said plungers, substanherein described. tially as herein described.

2. In a press, the combination of spaced In Witness whereof Ihave hereunto set my 5 bars at the top of the press-frame,p1ungers hand.

between said bars and slotted from their up- JAMES POR'lEOUS. per end downward, bolts passing transversely \Vitnesses: through the bars and slots in the plungers, S. H. NOURSE,

and keys passing transversely under the bars l J. A. BAYLESS. 

